“He's a France international and has already shown his qualities for us.”

Toure, Sakho and Martin Skrtel have formed a three-man backline for the Reds in recent weeks. The change of formation has paid off with back to back league wins over Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

“It has taken a lot of work on the training ground,” Toure added. “The manger tells us what he wants and then us defenders work and talk to each other to make it happen.

“We have really clever players who have been able to understand that change really quickly. That's shown in the results. Sakho, Skrtel and Agger are all great players so there is good competition for places and we look very strong at the back.”

Toure on Liverpool move reinvigorating his international career

Kolo Toure has revealed how his move to Liverpool has reinvigorated his international career.

The 32-year-old centre-back has been recalled to the Ivory Coast squad for their World Cup play-off first leg against Senegal on Saturday.

Toure won the last of his 103 caps back in March and his lack of match action for Manchester City towards the end of last season led to him making himself unavailable for his country.

However, his fine form since he signed for the Reds caught the eye of coach Sabri Lamouchi and Toure has accepted the challenge of helping his nation book their passage to next summer's finals in Brazil.

“They are very big games and I can’t wait to play in them,” he said.

“They were always calling me about playing for my country but I told them I had to prepare myself.

“I had to take time and get back playing again because when you don’t play for your club it is always very difficult to play for your national team.

“You need to be fit to play and I wasn’t playing a lot for City but this is a new start for me now. I am playing for a great club in Liverpool and I hope to help my national team go to the World Cup.

“There is great respect for Liverpool in the Ivory Coast. They know I've been playing regularly for one of the best clubs in the world.

“Everyone in Ivory Coast has been waiting for me. When I was not playing they were talking but I knew what I was doing.

“I knew my qualities. I just had to work hard and get playing again. Now I’m ready to help my national team.”

Saturday will be the first meeting between the sides since their African Cup of Nations qualifier last October was abandoned because of fans rioting.

With Senegal still banned from playing at their national stadium, the second leg on November 16 will be played in Casablanca, Morocco.

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Alastair Machray

Alastair Machray was appointed editor of The Liverpool Echo in 2005 and is also editor-in-chief of Trinity Mirror Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales. He is a former editor of The Daily Post (Wales and England) and editor-in-chief of the company's Welsh operations. Married dad-of-two and keen golfer Alastair is one of the longest-serving newspaper editors in the country. His titles have won numerous awards and spearheaded numerous successful campaigns.